THE first few months of retirement can feel like a well-deserved extended holiday.

But after a while comes that feeling of - what next?

Millions of elderly people suffer from loneliness after retirement, feeling as if they have lost purpose.

However, for the University of the 3rd Age group in Stanway, which is celebrating its tenth birthday,its aim is to make sure age remains just a number.

The U3A movement is international, starting in France in the 1980s.

The UK branch of the movement was founded more than 35 years ago.

It aims to encourage groups of people in their third age, for example past retirement, to carry on learning...just because they can.

Until 2008, there was only one branch in Colchester, but due to the high demand of people interested in joining, Stanway broke away and became a branch of the U3A in its own right.

There are now about 840 members and the group is still growing.

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Linda Anderson, publicity secretary for the Stanway group, said joining was the best thing she ever did.

The 61-year-old said: “It gives people who have retired a focus in life.

“When you are working a lot of your friendships are work ones and a lot of social events are based around friendships at work.

“The U3A helps people regain self-confidence and it gets them out, it stops them feeling depressed as they feel valued.”

The first and second ages are considered to be from childhood to adulthood.

For a learning experience, the third age group is run differently to school or the workplace.

There are no teachers or students, it is all based around peer learning and sharing life experiences.

Mrs Anderson said: “It’s the self value you have when you know you are contributing towards that. It can make a huge difference.”

U3A challenges the misconception that retired people are “past it”.

Mrs Anderson said there are plenty of people who have proved the theory wrong.

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She added: “A lot of people seem to think once you reach retirement it’s all negativity, you are draining society as you become ill and need more care.

“I have never felt so fit and healthy in all my life.”

She has been heavily involved in sport activities the group offers, like badminton.

At a recent session one of the members celebrated his 80th birthday.

Mrs Anderson added: “It demonstrates that age is no barrier if you have the right mindset. In my mind I feel about 40.”

There are six different categories of activities to take part in ranging from enjoying the great outdoors to eating out.

Activities on offer include golf, walking, tai chi, astronomy, motorbikes, film clubs, chess, scrabble, books, creative writing, Spanish, family history, fossils, mindfulness, and there are 11 dining out groups.

Monthly meetings are held at Stanway Village Hall, but the activities take place all over the town.

In September, the group will celebrate its 10th anniversary...in style.

The group is organising an open day on August 31 and will be showcasing some of the activities available to members.

The event will be held at Stanway Village Hall and the adjoining field and the public are welcome to go along and join in.

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Mrs Anderson said: “We have a diverse spectrum of interests and activities available to our members, anything from sports and exercise to astronomy to indoor games such as mah-jong and rummikub.

“There are also monthly meetings with a wide variety of subjects as the focus, anything from hedgehogs sanctuaries to the history of Harrods.

“So, in our own small way, we are trying to help to redress the health and economic balance in the community.”

The mayor and mayoress of Colchester, Peter Chillingworth and his wife, Ann, will be opening the anniversary party.

Councillor Paul Dundas will also be in attendance, as well as the chief executive officer of the Third Age Trust, the umbrella organisation which Stanway U3A operates under.

For more information about joining the group visit www.u3asites.org.uk/stanway or call Linda on 07769 716491.